Adopting a Puppy - 7 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid! 

Puppies are adorable. They are easy to fall in love with. But adopting a puppy is a big commitment. Oftentimes, especially around the holidays, kids beg their parents for cute puppies as gifts.

Their parents concede.  They then realize what a huge commitment adopting a puppy really is.  What usually happens?  The puppy ends up abandoned or put in a shelter. 

Here are the 7 biggest mistakes to avoid when thinking about adopting a puppy.

Is Your Lifestyle Compatible With Your Puppy?

The first thing to consider when adopting a puppy is your lifestyle. Are you always on the go? Are you single, married? Do you have kids? 

If so, what age are your children? How old are you?  Are you someone who's gone most of the day, like say more than 4 hours at a time? If so, your puppy may bark incessantly out of puppy anxiety separation.

CLICK HERE FOR TRAINING YOUR PUPPY TO STOP BARKING

If you're someone that's seldom home, that doesn't necessarily preclude you from adopting a puppy. What it does mean is that you'll need to hire a dog sitter. Someone that will play with the puppy and take her out for frequent walks.

Another factor to consider is the breed you select. Every breed has distinct characteristics. Would you prefer a female or a male puppy? 

Another question to ask yourself is what is your motive for adopting a puppy? Is it because you're lonely?  Is it because your kids think she's cute and cuddly? 

Those are not necessarily good grounds for adopting a puppy! There's lots more to think about than how cute and cuddly the puppy is.

Do You Have the Time and Patience For Adopting a Puppy

Puppies are like little children. Adopting a puppy is a major responsibility. It als requires time. Training an adopted puppy requires patience too.  In the process of training, there will always be accidents.  What if he chews on your $200 pair of shoes?  Will you still be understanding?

CLICK HERE TO TRAIN YOUR PUPPY TO STOP CHEWING

For instance, when crate training or housebreaking your dog, she may poop on the floor. Unfortunately, if your temperment is such that you get angry and are likely to scream or kick your dog, then forget about adopting a puppy. 

Aside from patience, you'll need to spend ample amounts of time playing with your puppy and socializing her with other dogs.

What is your work schedule like? Are you the type that likes to come home from work, close your door and not be bothered?

To thine own self be true. No sense making the puppy suffer because you didn't self reflect before going to the dog pound or breeder. 

Can You Provide the Mental and Physical Stimulation a Puppy Needs

This goes back to whether you have the time and patience that goes along with adopting a puppy. Dogs need to socialize with other dogs. This kind of socialization will provide mental and physical stimulation.

Puppies love to play fight with each other.  Roughing each other up for them is considered great exercise and fun!  Also, are you athletic yourself? Can you see yourself going to the park and playing frisbee with your adopted puppy? Or are you a coach potato?  Again, to thine own self be true!

Have You Owned a Dog Before

I remember when I first thought about adopting a puppy. I actually hadn't given it much thought. So I went to North Shore Animal League and got my first puppy. She was 11 weeks old.  I thought it was going to be a cinch. Boy, was I wrong.

First of all, there's the vet bills, which are quite expensive. Then, I had to learn that dogs, like people, have personalities. You have to know the breed you're getting so that you can understand their temperment and decide if it's a match for your personality. Luckily for me, Lily was the perfect match.

Still, that didn't solve the dog training problems I had.

Is Your Home or Apartment Big Enough

If you live in a tiny studio and you have a hyperactive dog or a large breed dog, this will not be conducive to your relationship. Again, having a dog is like being in a relationship! Actually, it's like being married! Each person needs their space. 

To Mix or Not to Mix?

Okay. I have issues with people labeling mixed breeds as "mutts." As if somehow "purebred" dogs are better quality dogs. Not!

Still, supposedly they say if you get a pure breed, you're less likely to have problems. Nonsense. What I will say is that a "pure breed" puppy will have both mental and physical traits that are unique to its particular breed. 

Whereas, if you have a mixed breed, you're unlikely to know which character traits it will have.  In the end, a dog's personality depends on the environment in which it was raised.  Where does the puppy come from? You need to know the answer to this as well.

Where Does the Puppy Come From

Last, but not least, where are you adopting a puppy from? Are you getting her from a shelter? Are you getting her from a breeder?  Again, some people think adopting a puppy from a breeder is better than adopting one from a shelter. 

But some breeders are inept. They may feed their pups unhealthy food. They also my train them to have poor habits. Some breeders are known to have unsanitary housing conditions.

On the contrary, lots of shelter dogs are very healthy and well adjusted. They may have come from homes that were loving and well trained.  The only reason why they ended up in a shelter was perhaps because they weren't able to afford the pet anymore, or, they could have moved to a place where pets weren't allowed. 

In conclusion, before adopting a puppy, avoid making the 7 biggest mistakes most would-be dog owners make and later live to regret! 

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